Purifying and deodorizing isopropyl alcohol



Patented Apr. 29, 1924.

MATTHEW D. MANN, JR., OF RO'SELLE, AND ROBERT B. LEBO, F ELIZABETH, NEWJERSEY. ASSIGNORS T0 SETH B. HUNT, TRUSTEE, 0F MOUNT KISCO, NEW YORK.

PURIFYING AND DEODORIZING ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MATTHEW D. MANN, Jr., and ROBERT B. LEBO, citizensof the United States, residing at Roselle and Elizabeth, respectively,in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Purifying and Deodorizing Isopropyl Alcohol, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to the purification and deodorizing ofisopropyl alcohol and will be fully understood from the followingdescription thereof.

Isopropyl alcohol, particularly when produced from hydrocarbon gasescontaining olefins such as the gases of oil refineries in which oilcracking operations are carried out, has a persistent pungent foreignodor. The cause of this odor is not definitely known, but is believed tobe due to minute proportions of sulfur compounds, of unknown and obscurecharacter.

In accordance with the present invention the deodorization andpurification of such isopropyl .alcohol may be accomplished in thefollowing manner.

The isopropyl alcohol is subjected to the action of an active chlorinecontaining material, such as sodium hypochlorite, bleaching powder orthe like, and at the same time is subjected to the action of an activeoxygen carrier, such as manganese dioxid, potassium dichromate,potassium of sodium permanganate or the like. Additional alkalinematerial, such as caustic soda or sodium carbonate may likewise beadded, if desired. After treatment of the alcohol with the activehalogen containing material, the purilied alcohol is recovered, suitablyby distillation. 5

The following examples illustrate the procedure which may be used incarrying out the present invention.

Example 1V0. 1.

To 1000 gallons of alcohol are added 200 gallons of water in whichpounds of bleach containing about. available chlorine, and also poundsof potassium dichromate. 100 pounds of sodiuinhydroxid, dissolved in 10to 15 gallons of water, may be added to the mixture. The alcohol isdistilled off and is found to be substantially free from odor.

Application filed September 8, 1921. Serial No. 499,235.

Example N0. 2.

To 730 gallons of alcohol are added 25 pounds of bleach dissolved in 100gallons of water. 25 pounds of manganese dioxid is agitated with themixture. The alcohol is then distilled off.

The proportion of available chlorine employed may vary between fairlywide limits although remaining small relative to the proportion ofalcohol treated. From 0.1 to 2.5% of available chlorine may be employed.The proportion of oxygen carrier may also be varied, for example, toyield from 0.1 to 2.5% of available oxygen.

. We claim:

halogen material in the presence of an oxygen carrier.

3. The method of purifying and deodorizing isopropyl alcohol derivedfrom hydrocarbon gases containing olefins which comprises admixing withthe alcohol bleach and an oxygen carrier.

4. The method of purifying and deodorizing isopropyl alcohol derivedfrom hydrocarbon gases containing olefins which comprises adding to thealcohol bleach and manganese dioxid.

5. The method of purifying and deodorizing isopropyl alcohol derivedfrom hydrocarbon gases containing olefins which comprises adding to thealcohol bleaching powder and manganese dioxid and distilling ofi thealcohol.

6. The methodof purifying and deodorizing isopropyl alcohol derived fromhydrocarbon gases containing olefins which comprises adding to thealcohol bleach and an oxygen carrier in the proportions 25 pounds ofbleaching powder dissolved in 100 gallons of, water and 25 pounds ofmanganese dioxid to 730 gallons of alcohol, and distilling oif thealcohol.

MATTHEW D. MANN, J R. ROBERT E. LEBO.

